The angels rejoice over the birth of our Savior flanked on either side by humble shepherds and wise men from the East. The star of Bethlehem shines through the window onto the Baby Jesus and his mother, Mary. The symbols of the Pascal Mystery are already evident: the cross; the ox and donkey as beasts of burden for our sins; the red rose, a symbol of Mary and her sorrow over the blood Jesus will shed for us. The baby Jesus is holding a pomegranate, an ancient symbol of Resurrection and the Church with its many seeds to make a whole.
On the bottom left is Mary, Mother of God. The baptism of Our Lord concludes the Christmas season. The painting contains the symbols of what Christ has done for us, continues to do and will do as reminders. The scene at the middle bottom denotes our road to Bethlehem. |
